Electrical connection means



May c s PENFOLD ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS Filed April 1. 1940 Patented May 11,1943

ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IVIEAN S Charles S. Penfold, Bronson, Miclr, assignor H. A. Douglas Mfg. 00., poration of Michigan Application April 1, 1940, Serial No. 327,143

This invention relates generally to electrical connection means and particularly to connectors adapted for detachable association with respect to a lamp or other electrical apparatus for establishing a through connection between the source, line, and lamp.

More specifically, the invention is directed to a connector provided with a plurality of terminal posts or receptacles, each of which is adapted to detachably receive and resiliently retain one of a plurality of terminal studs, which project from the rear extremity ofa headlamp.

One particular object is to provide a connector having at least a single terminal post' or recep-- tacle that is associated with her of insulating material the receptacle may adjust a terminal stud when the the receptacle.

Another object is to provide a construction of the character just referred to, in which each receptacle is so constructed and arranged that it may be inserted into either end of an opening a mounting memin such a manner that or aperture provided in the mounting and snapped securely in place.

Another object of the invention isto provide a terminal receptacle which may be easily and quickly released from the mounting by which it .ls carried.

,. A further object ofthe invention is toprovide improved auxiliary means on the receptacle for receiving a plug conductor terminal of the snap type, the arrangement being suchthat the latter may be attached to said auxiliary means before or after the receptacle is seated within the mounting.

Bronson, Mich, a cor- 5ClaimS. (01. 173-328 I nector. showing the configuration of certain apertures; t

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view, talren substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 3,'through a receptacle; g I I Figure 6 is a surface development of a receptacle; and I Figure 7 is alongitudinal section taken through Y a modified form of a connector.

' Referring particularly to Figure 1 of the drawing, numeral I generally designates a vehicle V headlamp which is adapted to be supported itself to accommodate latter is inserted into within a suitable housing. or to a mounting not shown, and 2 generally designates a connector which is adapted'to be detachably connected to the headlamp. Obviously, the connector may be designed and constructed for use in connection with electrical apparatus other than a. vehicle headlamp, and it is to be understood that the connector may be provided with one ora plurality of terminal receptacles, depending on the use or application of the connector.

The headlampmay be provided with any de-" sirable number of terminal connections or studs, but as herein shown, a terminal stud 3, and

- of which are arranged in spaced apart relation A still further object is to provide a connector that may be economically manufactured and-as-- sembled on a production basis.

and conductors assembled therewith;

Figure -3 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing certain details; I r Figure 4 is a partial rbottqnlview of the coni ing substantially para and 1, arranged more or less in triangular formaf openings generally designated 9', l0, and H, re-

studs 4 is shown in 4 may be constructed as desired, but as herein shown, are preferably substantially equidistant from the focal axis of the headlamp, while stud 3 is located above said axis intermediate said studs I.

Figure l. The studs 3 and comprised of sheet metal, and formed with angular projections, tend rearwardly of the headlamp, each projection being preferably providedwith a circular aperture as clearly shown in Figur '3,- the purpose of which will be described later. The free extrem' ities of the studs are preferably made planar or fiat, the extremity of the stud 3 being arranged horizontally and the extremities of studs 4 preferably vertically or at right angles to the plane of stud 3. L

The connector 2 includes a mounting or carrier preferably in the form of a block of moulded insulating material, and as clearly shown, is preferably provided with longitudinally extendel tubular portions 5, 6,

tion, the portions being provided with composite spectively, arranged in; circumferential relation.

The tubular portions 5 through 1 are preferably joined together by suitable radially extending partitions. I v

is preferably provided with I a pair of studs 4, the latter Only one of the which exand I5, and end walls The purpose of this the rectangular passage l2,

' cent its lower extremity. The portions of the flange, particularly intermediate the extremities of the portions 5 through 1, provide finger holds for assembling and disassembling the connector with respect to the lamp.

Inasmuch as the tubular portions, receptacles, and conductors are substantially identical, it is believed that a description of one of the tubular portions and a receptacle will be Sufficient. Referring to the tubular portion 1, it will be noted that the composite opening l includes a passage l2 adapted to receive a resilient terminal receptacle l3. Passage I2 is preferably rectangular in cross-section and bounded by side walls l4 l6, as most clearly shown in Figure 2 and 4. The side wall I5 is shown as being composed of a pair of spaced apart parallel portions. The front extremity of the side wall I preferably terminates in apair of spaced apart abutments l 1,. which project apredetermined distance across theiront end of the opening In, so as toprovide an entrance of a size slightly smaller than the cross-sectional size of said opening. The side wall I4 is also interrupted by a channel or slot l8 which preferably extends entirely longitudinally through the mounting.

slot-will be described in detail later.

' The opposite marginal side wall I5 of the passage IZ is interrupted by agenerally circular 1 position the groove 31 or cylindrical terminal receiving channel or groove i9. Thus, the channels or slots l8 and 19 are arranged substantially at right angles to and are communica- .tively connected together. Specifically, the passage is disposed tangentially to the channel IS. The outer extremity of each of the portions forming the wall I5 is preferably slightly offset to enlarge the opening I, and provide a pair of shoulders or abutments 20, spaced axially from the abutments l1.

The receptacle [3 as shown in Figure 6, preferably takes the form ofa Latin cross, and includes a main extremity 2| aligned with a smaller extremity 22, and transverses wing portions 23.

These extremities and wing portions are preferably made rectangular in form. The extremiat an, in order to to guide the stud leg portions of the receptacle.

ties are folded back upon themselves to provide spaced apart substantially parallel contacting leg portions 24 and.25 to form jointed at one extremity by an offset substantially cylindrical portion 25, as clearly shown in e 3. However, it is desirable that the receptacle be provided'with some desirable means in 'order to prolong its life by increasing. its resiliency.

The contacting leg portion 24 near the portion 26 is preferably provided with an inwardly extending finger 21, which provides a stop for limiting the inward movement of the stud 3 on the lamp. The free end of portion 24 is curved outwardly as at 28 to engage the abutments l1. In order to insure a good electrical contact between the stud 3 and the receptacle, the leg 24 is preferably provided with a pair of longitudinally inturned portions 29, which may be provided at any desirable location, but as herein shown, are preferably formed'by turning inwardly the marginal side edges, the portions 29being preferably beveled, as indicated a U-shaped receptacle,

front extremities of the" cent the free end 33, and

with a groove or cove 31 The leg or contacting portion 25 of the receptacle is preferably provided with a detent 3| in the form of a rounded projection, which extends into the receptacle opposite the portions 29 for cooperation with the aperture 32 pr'ovided in the stud 3. The free extremity of the stud by engaging the stop 21 will position the aperture 32 to be received by the detent 3|, the stud being pressed to firmly engage the' portions 29 to insure good electrical engagement. The free end 33 of the leg 25 is flared or curved outwardly substantially the same as the free-end of the other leg so that the two together provide a tapered entrance opening for the stud. Tongues 34 are provided adjaproject rearwardly and outwardly to engage the abutments 20. Thus, the tongues'34 and free end 28 of the leg portions prevent bodily displacement of the receptacle after it has once been snapped into place.

The leg 25 is also provided with an auxiliary terminal receptacle 35 which is preferably formed by bending the wing portions 23 into a substantially tubular cylindrical formation extending alongside said leg. An inturned projection 36 extends into the auxiliary receptacle to cooperate of a plug conductor terminal 38. This terminal is provided with cylindrical or annular portions which normally engage the inner walls of the receptacle 35, and an enlarged cylindrical skirt portion which receives the insulation of a conductor 39, and limits the inward movement of the terminal whereby to for detachably retaining the terminal thereto.

As clearly shown by the dotted line forms of the receptacle l3 in Figure 3, the same when made is slightly expanded, that is the legs diverge. The receptacle may be inserted either from the front or back. Assuming it is assembled from the front; it is only necessary to insert and press the bight or cylindrical end 26 into the front end of passage l2 of the opening I, until the tongues 34 provided on the leg 25-engage the abutments 20, whereupon the free end 28 of the leg 24 snaps outwardly into engagement with the abutments l1, thereby locking the receptacle in place. To assemble from the rear, the free ends of the receptacle are pressed together and inserted into the rear end of the passage of said opening until the free end 23 of the leg 24 engages the abutments l1, whereupon the free end of the leg 25 snaps outwardly causing the tongues 34 to engage the abutments 20. Thus, it is clearly evident that when into the mounting the receptacle i3 is inserted a predetermined distance, it

will expand into locking engagement with theabutments. It will conductor terminal auxiliary receptacle also be evident that the plug 38 may be connected to the 35 before or after the receptacle I3 is locked within the mounting, and

may be removed therefrom as desired without releasing the receptacle.

In some instances, it has been found desirable to provide means whereby the terminal receptacle may be easily and quickly disconnected from its mounting. Such release may be accomplished by inserting a tool through either end of the channel or slot l8 preferably adjacent its front end, to a point whereby the free extremity of the leg 24 may be engaged by the tool and pressed inwardly out'of engagement with the abutments l1, whereupon the receptacle may be pulled or to receive the detent 36 v I are employed for spirit oi the .wish to beunderstood as limiting myself to the pushed outwardly, in a direction opposite to that which it entered the mounting. The leg may also be pressed inwardly to release the tongues 34 from abutments 20, whereupon the receptacle may be pulled or pushed out through the rear of the opening Ill. Obviously, it is not essential to provide releasing means ofthe character just re.- ierred to.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figure '7, will now be described. -In this embodiment, the parts substantially correspond to the parts above described, except that different means locking the receptacle to the mounting.

The mounting is provided with a plurality of longitudinal openings, 5|. in lieu of the abutments I'I, one wall of opening Si is provided with an abutment 52 more or less centrally disposed with respect to said opening. The terminal receptacle 53 is similar to the receptacle l3, except that one of the legs, preferably leg 54 is provided with a pair of resilient tongues 55 which project outwardly toward each other so that the space between the tongues is such that the abutment 52 will be disposed therein when the receptacle is properly snapped into place as clearly shown. The other leg is provided with a stop 56 whereby to limit inward movement of a terminal stud 51. Said leg is also provided with an auxiliary terminal receptacle 58 corresponding to the receptacle 35,-.

ior receiving a plug conductor above referred to, terminal. The parts are so constructed and arranged that the receptacle 53 may be inserted into the mounting 50 from either end, and the stud and plug conductor terminal may be attached to the receptacles as desired. A leg may have a loop 59 to improve certain efiects.

Accordingly, it should be apparent that improved electrical connection means have been provided, including a receptacle having at least a pair of extremities, at least one oi. which is adaptedto receive a terminal of a particular type,

v and. another 0! which is adapted to receive a terminal of an entirely diflerent character.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departingrrom the invention; and. therefore, I do not exact forms, constructions, combinations of scribed.

I claim:

1. Electrical connection means including, a substantially U-shaped elongated terminal receptacle. a generally tubular receptacle, integrally connected to one of the legs of said U-shaped receptacle, means projecting into one of said receparrangemen and parts herein shown and demember insertable into either end of the hole disincluding the opening in a direction opposite posed in the hole, and said conducting member having a wall provided with at least a pair of longitudinally spaced apart resilient fingers in-' dependently operable of each other engaging the sides of said portion for holding the members assembled, said conducting member having a second wall folded back upon said first-mentioned wall whereby to provide a receptacle adapted to receive a plug conductor terminal, and said second wall being provided with rrreans projecting viding meansto which a conductor may be secured.

.centrecess shaped receptacle for locking said connection the snap type.

member insertable aperture,

wall arranged alongside 3. An electrical connector including an insula- I tor member having a hole therein, a portion of the insulator projecting into the hole, a conductor member insertable into either end of the hole disposed in the hole, and said conducting member having a wall provided with at least a pair of longitudinally spaced apart resilient fingers independently operable of each other engaging the sides of said portion for holding the members assembled, said conducting member having a second wall folded back upon said first-mentioned wall whereby to provide a receptacle adapted to receive a plug. conductor terminal, said second wall being provided with means providing a receptacle for receiving a plug conductor terminal, and

said second wall providing'a common wall between both of said receptacles,

4. An electrical connector including, an insula-' tor member having a hole therein, abutment means provided in the hole, and a conducting into either .end of said hole disposed in said hole, said conducting member being provided with at least a pair of longitudinally spaced apart resilient independently operable fingers projecting laterally with respect tothe conducting member and eng g ng said abutment means for holding said conducting member including a first wall from which said fingers project and a second wall arranged alongside oi said first wall providing means between which a conductor terminal may be secured. and said second wall being provided with means apart from said first wall whereby a conductor may be secured to said means on said second wall.

5. An electrical connector comprising, a single piece oi insulating material provided with an aperture extending therethrough, said aperture being enlarged at its ends to form recesses Joined by the remaining intermediate restricted portion, the base of each recess forming with the restricted portion a shoulder,

an insert insertable into either end of the aperture disposed in said said insert having a-first wall, yieldable portions or said insert projecting into the adjashoulder whereby to hold said piece and said insert in assemb y. said insert including a secondg of said first wall pro.- viding means for receiving a terminal between the walls, and said second wall being provided with a tubular portion providing a receptacle adapted to receive a plug conductorterminal oi charms s. ransom.

to that of the fingers pro-.

the members assembled,

and eng gin the corresponding 

